The building that now houses Buckalew's has been in Beach Haven
for more than a century. As many old buildings do, the structure
outlives generations and holds its own special history.

"It has been a labor of love," Jay Cranmer, owner of Buckalew's
since 1995, says of being a part of its history.

Having grown up in Beach Haven, Cranmer remembers the building
since he was a child and in time, he became one of its biggest
fans.

"I became a frequent customer, once I was of legal age of
course," Cranmer remembered. "Tom (Buckalew) made the best pizza I
ever had."

Buckalew's still is famous for its tomato pizzas and all are
reasonably priced, with the most expensive just $16 including four
toppings of your choice.

"It was such great pizza, our goal was to replicate it," Cranmer
says.

Built as the Bayview House, the old building originally offered
a cheap night's stay to fishermen, who paid just $1 for a cot.
Through the years, the building changed hands and eventually
morphed into an eatery in the 1920's.

The Buckalew family took ownership in 1949, giving it the now
famous name. Cranmer bought the building at the urging of one of
his close friends and hasn't looked back.

"A friend of mine said, 'You love to cook and you are a hometown
boy,'" Cranmer says of his purchase.

Buckalew's reopened its doors in summer 1996, and has been
throwing pies and serving drinks ever since.

A steady, friendly staff has been one of Buckalew's keys to
success. Allan Menegus, whose credentials include a culinary degree
from The Restaurant School in Philadelphia and a decade of cooking
at the former Trump Marina, has been the general manager and chef
at Buckalew's for 12 years. Carmen Mack has been tending bar at
Buckalew's for 17 years.

"Everyone knows Carmen," Menegus says. "I have been out of the
state and people who have been here ask me, 'Do you know
Carmen?'"

In his kitchen, Menegus uses fresh, local ingredients.

"In the winter we can get scallops and monkfish from Barneget
Light, in the summer mahi-mahi, tuna and fresh, Jersey
vegetables."

"We have lobster pot pie, we make a great chilli and on Friday
and Saturday nights we serve prime rib," Mack says of some winter
options.

At Buckalew's, classic doesn't mean old or outdated. A
vegetarian and vegan menu introduced last year proved a hit. The
gluten-free, vegetable pizza topped with a balsamic glaze is a new
element on the Buckalew's menu.

Whether it is dinner with the family or late-night drinks while
on vacation, Buckalew's is part of the Long Beach Island
experience, a place where people come to share great food and
create memories, Menegus says.

"We are very 'Cheers-like' in the winter," Lisa Mack says. "We
recognize everyone."

Buckalew's Restaurant - Tavern

WHERE: 101 N. Bay Ave. at Centre Street, Beach
Haven

WHEN: Open daily from 11 a.m. for lunch, dinner
service begins at 4 p.m. Happy hour 4 to 7 p.m., Sunday through
Friday. Closing time dependent on business.